The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-28

moral questions, however public, that
effect the spiritual life, and therefore de-
termine the destiny of immortal souls,
must be the burden ministerial soiic-
itude and the them pulnf discourse
Churches in theif 5rganisd capacity
must never be complicated with parti-
have before said, and on
is prohibitfA question, that the
hurch, as sucp ban never ally herself
with any politiSgI party though every
plank in its platform be in accord with
the sermon on the mount. But this Is a
great moral reform and entirely nom
partisan, having no purpose to cisturo
the party affiliations of any citizen. III,
however, the idea prevails that piety
and patriotism are two Incompatible
sentiments and cannot live in the same
heart, then farewell to the prosperity
and perpetuity of our governmental an
situations. Such doctrine Is mlschie-
yous and dangerous, and if acted upon
to its fullest logical conclusion would
bankrupt the morals of society and pros
trate our grand republic in the dust
The sublimest type of patriotism IS the
beautiful blending of reyerent devotion
to God with chivalrous love of country
If. then, to preach the doctrine of tenn
perance and to preach against the
whisky traffic as the cause of most OF the
sorrow, crime and shame of society, Is
to be "a political partisan, l am con,
tented to be published as one now and
forever. The exigency was great when
you commissioned Bishop Leonidas Polk
a major general and saw carnal weapons
placed in other priestly hands. But the
issues involved are more moment Gus
and the ministerial propriety more ap-
parent in this death struggle with an
enemy that is destroying both the souls
and bodies of our countrymen.
Your reference to Father Mathew as
a model temperance reformer was I'M
fortunate as an argument against prohi-
bition. That grand apostle of moral
suasion was alike an advocate of laws
for the suppression of the liquor traffic.
In the closing years of his hfe-noting
the loss of much of his labor-he uttered
these words: "The principle of prohibit
ton seems to me to be the only safe and
certain remedy for the evils of intemper-
ance. This opinion has been strength
ened and confirmed by the hard labor of
more than twenty years In the temper
anee cause"
You call attention to the other evils
| including the opium habit, the wrongs
of women, "burglaries, robberies, rapes
and infanticide" and to the exception
ably great number of assassinations'
during the month in which my address
was made. They are lamentable facts,
and are neither overlooked nor condoned
| by the friends of prohibition. Who are
the Peters and st. Georges leading cru
sades against other blighting evils of
our social life, if not those engaged in
this contest with the rum demon? The
| field is not 'unoccupied to which human
ity and manhood are both calling for la
borers." But we want more laborers in
the harvest.
Your reference to a certain Knight OF
| Malta who charged the wrongs of the
world to the suppression of his order
and to a tanner who claimed that
leather was the city's surest protection,
in order to characterize, if not carica
ture, the friends of prohibition, lacks
your proverbial courtesy. 1t would
pain you for one to retort by saying
| that YOU regarded State sovereignty "an
universal absorbent and saw our south
land run red with the blood of her
| DraVeSJ sons. 1udI WOuIu De W you q
cruel injustice, but no more so than this
characterization of prohibitionists.
But the cause is moving on and will
triumph. The world can scarcely pre-
sent parallel to the majestic speed OF
its march. The people have decreed il
the saloons must 60. If not to-day,
tomorrow. 1t is question of con-
science, of principle, of duty to God
and the brotherhood of man.
Reiterating my profound regret that
your honored name, however unjustly
is being everywhere heralded as the
champion of anti-prohibition, and with
undated admiration for your splendid
abilities and conspicuous virtues,
remain, most respectfully,
| CHAs. 3. GALLOWAY.